THE LEAGUE CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21209, 15 June 1932, Page 15

THE LEAGUE CODE.

INTEREST IN PLAYERS' FORM,

MATCHES AGAINST ENGLAND. KICKING AMONG REARGUARD. The. standard of play was not 50 high on Saturday when the Auckland Rugby League commenced tho second round of its senior competition,' but on tho form of the teams it is evident the championshin will be closely contested. The form of players is . being watched with more than usual interest, owing to the forthcoining visit of tho English team. It is certain tho Auckland selectors will be faced with a difficult task in choosing players to train for these big games. The players' committee of tho New Zealand League stressed the point Last week that only really fit men should bo considered. Backs capable of taking knocks which they will undoubtedly get when opposed by the Englishmen, aro necessary. Brisbane, List, Davidson and Seagal* arc players who have set a high standard in tackling this season and are tho type most likely to stop the swift and determined attacks of the visitors.

The selection of the forwards gives food for serious thought. Unless there are any big men in tho South Island, tho New Zealand team is likely to bo the smallest seL which bus ever opposed England. Judging from the players available in Auckland there are several really clever forwards, but their physique is against them when claims aro put forward for tho Auckland team. The pack will need to be solid, more than brilliant, to expect tho backs to play England on attack. Little is known of the form of Calder and O'Brien, the West Coast forwards, who were outstanding four years ago. Hall and Hutt, Auckland, are the right type to represent New Zealand.

Close Matches. Saturday's games were again closely contested and followers of the code can look forward to stirring matches before tlie representative season opens on July 25. Dcvonport still retains its unbeaten record, although the leaders have had two close games of late. Ponsonby played with plenty of dash on Saturday and was unlucky not to be closer t-o its opponents at the finish. Had the weather remained fine Tonsonby would probably have dono better. Several Devonport backs have developed a bad habit of kicking in passing bouts. To be successful these players should remember that possession is everything in League football. To kick is usually a sign of unfitness. Spectators at Carlaw Park on Saturday took exception to several rulings of tho referee in the principal game. Tho official, however, must have been hampered considerably by the similarity of the colours, which were hard to distinguish after players were rolled in the mud. The fading light, too, did not assist the referee. Selfish play en the part of some of the backs cost City its game against Newton. Ilickev was an offender in this respect. Twice ho held on instead of passing fo a support. Telford, the Richmond forward, had an unusual experience on Saturday when ho sprained his -ankle. The ball from No. 1 ground was kicked over to the Marist-Richmond game and Telford, with a Marist forward, rushed to pick it up. Telford slipped* in doing so and received a painful injury. Campbell, the Marist fullback, received a nasty kick, which caused his retirement on Saturday, but he is likely to be fit next Saturday. Angelo, who was playing his first game with Richmond, had (be misfortune to receive a bad injury to the shoulder. Angelo bliowed good form while on ihe field. Challenge Cup Match. The first Northern Union Challenge Cup game will be played between South Auckland and Northland at Hikurangi next Saturday. It is more than likely that Auckland will challenge the winners later in tho season.

The Englishmen will play Brisbane at Brisbane to-day. The second test against Australia will be played at Brisbane on Saturday.

A. EUaby, the English back, is probably the biggest wing-threequarter playing football. Ellaby stands 6ft. lin. and weighed 15sfc. 91b. prior to the gamo against Now South Wales, He has great pace for a big player. Eleven test matches have been decided in Sydney between England and Australia. England" has won eight and lost three. It, must be conceded, says a Sydney writer, that, on the average in the past, England has been too solid for Australia in Sydney tests;. Their forwards have played with terrific ruggedness in the pacK and 1 uck, and been fast, and unremitting on aggression out of it. They have often worn the Australians down and then the hacks have scored freely in the closing stages. The success of England has been in trv-getting as well as goal-kicking. In the 11 Sydney matches they scored 150 points to 110.

YACHT It AC I NO. SALE OF WAIRIKI. The well-known keel yacht Wairiki, formerly owned by INIr. I). Macky, ha? boon purchased by Messrs. A. 17. Stewart and U. T. Upton. Built at Devonport i'.j 1904, Wairiki is 35ft. 0.a., lias 24l't. waterline, and draws sft. 3in. SI jo has changed hands on various occasions and lias a laiyo number of wins to lior credit. When owned by Mr. S. K. Speight Wairiki was very successful. Sim competed no fewer than eight times in the annual ocean race to Tauranga, gaining two firsts, two second?, and two thirds. Slio is in excellent condition and next season will again compete in the. Jxoyal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's races. • "Restricted Y," Epsom, writes as follows :—"lt was with great interest that I read vonr article, in the Herald recent I v Regarding the, restriction of class'boats Being a constant competitor when tho restriction was in vogue, I can hoartilv endorse your remarks as to the good races that eventuated. I lie keonness of the competitors and the huge fields that faced Urn starters proved, beyond doubt, t hat the owners of these craft were quite satisfied with the. conditions under which they raced. But. unfortunately) it was craft increasing their sail area that caused much dissatisfaction among tho others, and the class began to gradually dissolve. Now instead of thirty or more in a, race, this class has, more often than not, to combine with another class, so that, they may make a race of it. 1 think tho time is now ripe for the delegates of each club to move in the matter, and to do their best, to make this class restricted, and to have it controlled by the Auckland Yacht and Motor-Boat Association. If this eventuates I am sure tho class will come back again and th o racing will be .as good as ever.''